Your trusted legal partner

Navigating legal challenges can be incredibly stressful, especially when it involves your freedom, safety, or fundamental rights. At the Law Office of Courtney Burris in Oakland, California, we understand these anxieties. Whether you're dealing with a restraining order, facing criminal accusations, fighting for your civil rights, embarking towards civil litigation as a plaintiff, we're here to provide expert guidance and dedicated representation. Ms. Burris is committed to delivering quality service and helping you achieve the best possible outcome.

Our specialized legal services

The Law Office of Courtney Burris offers targeted legal support in areas where you need it most. The Office's approach focuses on understanding the unique details of your situation to provide effective, practical solutions tailored to your needs. We are eager to represent you in your case. Practice areas include Criminal Defense (DUI especially) with. Including some exceptions, the cases will involve Little to no violence. Practice areas also include Civil Rights, Civil Case litigation beyond Civil rights, Personal Injury, and Restraining Orders (whether seeking or defending).

Restraining orders


A restraining order is a court order designed to protect a person from harassment, threats, abuse, stalking, intimidation, or violence. It legally restricts another person from contacting, approaching, threatening, or harming the protected individual.

Restraining orders can apply in situations involving:

  • Domestic violence
  • Harassment or stalking
  • Threats or intimidation
  • Abuse by a family member, spouse, partner, or acquaintance
  • Workplace or civil disputes involving safety concerns

Common restrictions may include ordering someone to:

  • Stay a certain distance away from you, your home, work, or school
  • Stop contacting you by phone, text, email, or social media
  • Avoid harassment, threats, or acts of violence
  • Surrender firearms in some cases, depending on state law

There are different types of restraining orders, including:

  • Emergency or temporary restraining orders (short-term protection)
  • Preliminary/interim orders while a case is pending
  • Permanent or long-term restraining orders issued after a court hearing

Violating a restraining order can result in criminal charges, arrest, fines, or jail time.

Whether you're seeking to prevent unwanted contact, or defending against a restraining order you believe is invalid and harmful to your record, we provide clear, easy-to-understand legal support. These cases are straightforward, and we excel at guiding clients through every step.

Criminal Defense

Being accused of a crime is an incredibly stressful situation, in many cases traumatic. With almost 12 years of experience in criminal law as a former criminal prosecutor , I understand the complexities of the justice system and am uniquely positioned to represent you, understanding how the Prosecutor(s) tends to think, ensuring the best possible chance for a favorable outcome.

Meeting a client’s needs in a criminal defense case requires more than just knowing the law. Effective defense work combines legal strategy, communication, trust, investigation, and advocacy. A criminal defense attorney should focus on both the legal outcome and the client’s personal circumstances throughout the case.

Key ways to meet a client’s needs include:

  1. Clear Communication
    Clients facing criminal charges are often stressed, confused, and fearful. How we address the anxiety you may be feeling:
  • Explain charges, possible penalties, and court procedures in plain language.
  • Keep clients updated on hearings, negotiations, and developments.
  • Respond promptly to calls, emails, and questions.
  • Make sure the client understands all options before decisions are made.
  1. Building Trust and Confidentiality
    A strong attorney-client relationship is essential. Clients need to feel:
  • Heard without judgment.
  • Confident that their information is protected.
  • Comfortable discussing sensitive facts honestly.

Trust often improves the quality of the defense because clients are more willing to share important details.

  1. Thorough Case Investigation
    Meeting the client’s needs requires aggressive fact development, including:
  • Reviewing police reports, body camera footage, and evidence.
  • Interviewing witnesses.
  • Examining constitutional violations such as unlawful searches, seizures, arrests, or interrogations.
  • Consulting experts when necessary.

A detailed investigation can uncover weaknesses in the prosecution’s case or grounds for suppression motions.

  1. Protecting Constitutional Rights
    Ms. Burris will actively safeguard rights under the:
  • Fourth Amendment (unlawful search and seizure)
  • Fifth Amendment (self-incrimination and due process)
  • Sixth Amendment (right to counsel and fair trial)

Clients often need reassurance that their rights matter and will be defended vigorously.

  1. Individualized Defense Strategy
    Every client’s situation is different. Effective representation considers:
  • Criminal history
  • Employment and family circumstances
  • Immigration consequences
  • Mental health or disability-related concerns
  • Long-term goals

For example, one client may prioritize avoiding jail, while another may focus on protecting a professional license or immigration status.

  1. Managing Expectations Honestly
    Clients need realistic guidance, not false promises. How we hold up our end of the bargain:
  • Explain strengths and weaknesses of the case.
  • Discuss likely outcomes and risks.
  • Prepare clients for trial, plea negotiations, or sentencing.

Honesty builds credibility and helps clients make informed decisions.

  1. Strong Courtroom Advocacy
    Clients expect their attorney to advocate forcefully by:
  • Challenging weak evidence.
  • Cross-examining witnesses effectively.
  • Filing strategic motions.
  • Negotiating favorable plea agreements when appropriate.
  • Presenting mitigation evidence at sentencing.
  1. Addressing Mental Health or Disability Issues
    Some clients may have autism, PTSD, intellectual disabilities, or mental health conditions that affect police interactions or courtroom participation. Ms. Burris will:
  • Request accommodations when needed.
  • Use expert evaluations where appropriate.
  • Explain behaviors that may have been misunderstood by law enforcement.
  • Advocate for diversion programs or treatment alternatives.
  1. Supporting the Client Beyond the Charges
    Criminal cases affect employment, housing, family relationships, and reputation. Ms. Burris commits to helping clients by connecting them with treatment or counseling resources, such as :
  • Advising on compliance with bond conditions.
  • Helping minimize collateral consequences.
  1. Maintaining Professionalism and Compassion
    Clients often remember how they were treated as much as the legal result. Respect, patience, and professionalism help clients feel supported during a difficult period in their lives.

In practice, the most effective criminal defense representation balances legal skill with client-centered advocacy. A client who feels informed, respected, and vigorously defended is more likely to trust the process and participate effectively in their own defense. These are ideals that Ms. Burris embraces in her practice.

Civil Rights advocacy

Discrimination based on race, gender, sex, or socioeconomic status is unacceptable. We are passionate about advocating for individuals whose constitutional rights have been violated, providing powerful representation to protect your freedoms.

Meeting a client’s needs in a civil rights case requires a combination of legal advocacy, empathy, investigation, and strategic planning. Civil rights clients are often dealing not only with legal harm, but also emotional trauma, loss of trust in institutions, reputational damage, or ongoing fear after violations of their constitutional rights. Effective representation should address both the legal case and the human impact behind it.

Important ways to meet my client's needs in a Civil Rights case include:

  1. Listening to the Client’s Experience
    Civil rights cases often involve deeply personal experiences such as:
  • Unlawful detention or arrest
  • Excessive force
  • Discrimination
  • Retaliation
  • Violations of constitutional protections

Making you and your family feel heard and taken seriously. How do we do this?

  • Allow clients to explain events fully.
  • Acknowledge the emotional impact of the violation.
  • Avoid minimizing their experiences.
  • Clarify facts carefully and respectfully.
  1. Explaining Rights and Legal Options Clearly
    Many clients do not fully understand their constitutional rights or the civil litigation process. Attorneys should explain:
  • What legal rights may have been violated.
  • Potential claims under federal or state law.
  • The difference between criminal and civil proceedings.
  • Possible remedies, including damages or injunctive relief.
  • Timelines, procedures, and realistic outcomes.

Clear communication reduces confusion and helps clients make informed decisions.

  1. Conducting a Thorough Investigation
    Strong civil rights representation depends heavily on evidence gathering. This may include:
  • Police reports and incident records
  • Body camera or surveillance footage
  • Dispatch logs and radio communications
  • Medical records
  • Witness interviews
  • Internal policy documents
  • Prior complaints or patterns of misconduct

The detailed investigation can uncover inconsistencies, policy failures, or constitutional violations.

  1. Protecting Constitutional Rights
    Civil rights attorneys should aggressively advocate for protections under:
  • Fourth Amendment (searches, seizures, arrests)
  • Fifth Amendment (due process)
  • First Amendment (speech, protest, retaliation)
  • Fourteenth Amendment (equal protection)

Clients often need reassurance that their constitutional rights are enforceable and meaningful.

  1. Trauma-Informed Representation
    Many civil rights clients have experienced traumatic interactions with government officials or law enforcement. Attorneys should:
  • Be patient during interviews and preparation.
  • Recognize signs of trauma or anxiety.
  • Avoid unnecessarily retraumatizing the client.
  • Prepare clients carefully for depositions and testimony.

Trauma-informed advocacy improves communication and client trust.

  1. Developing a Strategy Aligned With the Client’s Goals
    Not every client wants the same outcome. Some prioritize:
  • Financial compensation
  • Public accountability
  • Policy reform
  • Clearing their name
  • Preventing future misconduct

Attorneys should identify the client’s priorities early and tailor the litigation strategy accordingly.

  1. Managing Expectations Honestly
    Civil rights litigation can be lengthy and difficult. Attorneys should explain:
  • Qualified immunity issues
  • Burdens of proof
  • Litigation timelines
  • Settlement possibilities
  • Risks and costs of trial

Clients benefit from realistic guidance about challenges and opportunities in the case.

  1. Addressing Disability and Mental Health Issues
    Civil rights cases sometimes involve individuals with autism, mental health conditions, or other disabilities whose behaviors were misunderstood during police encounters or institutional interactions. Effective advocacy may involve:
  • Expert testimony
  • Accommodation requests
  • Demonstrating failures in training or de-escalation
  • Explaining behavioral responses that were misinterpreted

This can be especially important in unlawful detention, excessive force, or discrimination cases.

  1. Strong Advocacy and Accountability
    Clients often seek accountability from institutions that violated their rights. Attorneys should:
  • Challenge unlawful conduct aggressively.
  • Use discovery strategically.
  • Hold agencies accountable for policies or customs contributing to violations.
  • Advocate for systemic reforms when appropriate.
  1. Ongoing Communication and Support
    Civil rights clients often feel powerless after their experiences. Regular updates and responsiveness help restore confidence and trust. Attorneys should:
  • Keep clients informed about filings, hearings, and negotiations.
  • Prepare them for each stage of litigation.
  • Provide guidance on media exposure or public attention if relevant.
  1. Preserving the Client’s Dignity
    Civil rights cases are fundamentally about human dignity and equal treatment. Attorneys should consistently treat clients with respect, professionalism, and compassion throughout the representation.

Effective civil rights advocacy is not only about proving a constitutional violation—it is also about helping clients feel protected, empowered, and heard while pursuing justice and accountability.

Personal Injury, Plaintiff  advocacy

At The Law Office of Courtney Burris, we understand that suffering a serious injury can change every aspect of your life. Medical bills, lost income, physical pain, emotional stress, and uncertainty about the future can place enormous pressure on you and your family. Our firm is committed to providing strong legal advocacy and compassionate guidance to help clients through these difficult times from the beginning of a case through final resolution.

Courtney Burris approaches every personal injury case with preparation, determination, and a commitment to pursuing the best possible outcome for each client. We work closely with injured individuals to ensure they understand their rights, their options, and the legal process every step of the way.

Our firm handles a wide range of personal injury matters, including:

  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Trucking and commercial vehicle collisions
  • Motorcycle accidents
  • Slip and fall injuries
  • Wrongful death claims
  • Serious injury and negligence cases

When representing clients in a personal injury case, The Law Office of Courtney Burris will:

  • Conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the injury
  • Gather evidence, medical records, witness statements, and expert opinions
  • Communicate and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf
  • Fight to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term damages
  • Prepare every case with trial readiness and strong litigation strategy
  • Advocate aggressively in court when fair resolutions are not offered
  • Stand beside clients throughout the legal process with communication, honesty, and dedicated representation

Our goal is not only to pursue financial recovery, but also to help clients regain stability and move forward with confidence after a traumatic event. At The Law Office of Courtney Burris, we are committed to seeing your case through to the end with professionalism, strength, and unwavering advocacy.

Helping those representing themselves, and/or who needs legal guidance when a case involves the client themselves, and also supporting those who do not have a case but are seeking legal support.

At The Law Office of Courtney Burris, we understand that not every person facing a legal issue has formal representation. Our practice proudly supports individuals representing themselves “pro se,” providing legal guidance, strategy, document review, case preparation assistance, and support throughout the legal process.

We also assist individuals who may not yet have a formal legal case filed, but who are seeking trusted legal guidance, advocacy, clarification of their rights, or support navigating difficult legal situations. Whether you are preparing to move forward with a matter, responding to a legal issue, or simply seeking informed direction, our office is committed to providing thoughtful and compassionate legal support tailored to your circumstances. This of course, is as long as you aren't represented by another lawyer.

The goal is to empower clients with knowledge, preparation, and strong advocacy—helping people better understand the legal system and move forward with confidence during challenging times.

We pride ourselves on our adaptability and commitment to excellence in every aspect of our service. Explore what we have to offer and how we can contribute to your success.

Peace of mind, guaranteed

Our ultimate goal is for you to feel completely satisfied with the resolution of your case. For civil matters, we strive for the best possible financial settlement. In criminal cases, we aim for a resolution that means you no longer have to face court, having been adequately and effectively represented. We're here to help you move forward.

Your experienced advocate

What sets the Law Office of Courtney Burris apart? With nearly twelve years of experience in criminal law as a Prosecutor, nearly ten at the San Francisco District Attorney's Office and almost two in Alameda County, I've had the unique opportunity to advocate for victims and ensure fairness in the system on both sides of the table. This background gives me invaluable insight into the expectations of prosecuting offices and judges, allowing me to establish professional relationships amongst all,build the strongest defense for my clients, secure the best possible outcome for them.

Our commitment to you

At the Law Office of Courtney Burris, located in Oakland, California, we are dedicated to protecting your rights and delivering personalized legal solutions. We focus on understanding your specific needs and responding with effective, practical strategies. Let us put our expertise to work for you, safeguarding your future and advocating for justice.